Ukrainian oligarch bets on law and order in Mariupol

May 14 - Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov tries to restore order back to the eastern port city of Mariupol - home to some of his major enterprises. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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A call for law and order in eastern Ukraine.
A clean up is underway as Ukraine's richest man, Rinat Akhmetov, tries to restore a sense of calm in the home to the oligarch's major enterprises.
The director of one of his metal plants says it is in everyone's interest.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DIRECTOR GENERAL OF MARIUPOL METAL PLANT YURI ZINCHENKO, SAYING:
"We've agreed with everyone, including self-defense forces, that regardless of political interests and views, our joint task is to return order to the city and to make citizens feel calm and safe, so that they are not worried by events that had been taking place in the city recently, and we will work together on achieving this."
On the oligarch's initiative, some of his company's workers are now on patrol with police.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MARIUPOL POLICE OFFICER SERGEI RUHAN, SAYING:
"Joint patrolling is aimed at protecting public order -- not allowing criminal and administrative crimes to happen and at preventing any illegal actions against citizens. We will patrol and thanks to the staff for helping us, so we will not have to go on patrols alone. They go with us on patrols, we patrol together during the day and in the evening."
After months of uncertainly and unrest, some residents welcome a return to calm.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MARIUPOL RESIDENT VALENTINA, SAYING:
"I think it is great, people are not indifferent. They love their city, protect their wives, children, grandchildren, mothers, fathers, I think it is normal. I think a period of stability is beginning here."
Voters in the region backed self-rule in referendums held on Sunday -- despite objections from Kiev, which sees Russia's hand behind the rebellion and denounced the votes as illegal.
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Ukranian oligarch bets on law and order in Mariupol
Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov tries to restore order back to the eastern port city of Mariupol - home to some of his major enterprises. Deborah Lutterbeck reports.

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